Minutes
February 13,
2002
1). Minutes of the January meeting were
approved.
1). CDOT reported that after review, the TAM system only works on
track 2. There are no plans for any changes at this time. The functioning of the TAM system will be
addressed with the new SLE Stations.
AMTRAK reported that the average daily ridership on
SLE from Old Saybrook to New Haven amounted to 1,225 passengers. In addition the on time performance rate was
99.13%.
CDOT indicated that there will be an additional new
through train starting in June, which will run from Stamford to Old
Saybrook. Due to customer concerns it
is expected that the new train will leave Stamford between 5:10 and 5:20 p.m. Metro North added that they are looking at
other options for increasing the through service.
2). Buses were substituted on the Waterbury line on six occasions
during the month of January. All of the
substitutions were due to mechanical failure.
Due to the increase in office space in the Shelton
area the council questioned whether any consideration had been given for
service to Shelton. CDOT indicated that
since the train line is on the Milford side of the river it would not be
practical for train service to Shelton.
In addition busing from the Derby station would not be practical either
since the only cross over would be the Merit Parkway bridge.
3). CDOT reported that no busses were substituted on the Danbury
line in January. The primary reason
being the generally mild weather. The
council commended both CDOT and Metro North for the service adding that no
busing was clearly a record.
CDOT cited that the crews were becoming more
comfortable with the Genesis Engines and the breaker issue seems to have been
resolved.
Vice Chmn. Cameron questioned when the proposed bus service
from Ridgefield to Katonah was scheduled to start. Metro North suggested that it would start around March 1,
2002. In addition, Metro North added
that this bus service should attract more Danbury riders to the New York Lines
since it would appear to be at least 20 minutes faster to New York City.
Metro North promised to report the Danbury on time
performance rate at next month’s meeting.
4). CDOT indicated that the news arms on the Grove Street crossing
gates in New Canaan will be installed by April 15, 2002.
5). Mr. Donnarumma provided the council with an update on the
Stamford Station. Contractors are continuing installation of the new center
island platform and portions of the eastbound side platform. The Track 2 bridge
over Washington Blvd. Is complete.
Tracks 3,4 and 5 are open to passengers. The end of the current phase of
work has been pushed out to July 2002.
However, project completion is still anticipated for February 2003. The catenary contractor continues to address
punch list and wire replacement issues.
During the next phase (Summer/Fall 2002), we will replace Tracks 2&3
over Washington Blvd. And extend the Westbound Center platform over Washington
Blvd. Garage foundation work will begin
soon. Having cleared the historical
challenge, a demolition permit was issued for the remaining house and it will
be removed this month. The parking
garage expansion project is expected to be completed in December 2003. The north tower elevator is out of service
while being rehabilitated. It is expected
back in service March 2002.
The council pointed out that there is a section of the
eastbound track 4, which has no canopy.
CDOT indicated that they would look into it. In addition, the council noted that there was an apparent need
for stairs near the new elevator in the north tower. CDOT indicated that they would look into it; however there may be
a traffic problem inherent in constructing a new stairway at that location.
The council indicated that there was a need for signage
on the southbound island platform, which would indicate which was track 3 and
which was track 5.
CDOT reported that track 4 east from Cos Cob would be
back on line in March.
6). Mr. Harris presented the council with the work assignments
for the working groups that were created by the TSB. Vice Chairman Cameron
reported that the TSB working group on the Movement of Goods/People met in
Meriden and for the first time the group discussed train service. On the agenda
were discussions relating to, ordering new cars, type of cars to order
(Bi-level, Single-level) and who will pay for any new cars.
In response to the councils concern over the time it
takes to order new cars, CDOT responded that there is currently an on-going
study to determine what the fleet should look like going forward. CDOT
indicated that the #1 priority is to determine what to order. The current
thinking is that a mixed fleet is the best solution, since Bi-level cars will
not fit in the GCT tunnels without being built to specifications. In addition
there are adherence issues with push/pull making EMU units the most practical.
7). CDOT reported that there were 48 cars in the shop
backlog. Metro North reported that at
this level all trains are full and not short of cars. In addition the shops are
running three shifts, to accommodate the M-2 overhaul program, which is
expected to commence in April. CDOT confirmed that bar cars would be included
in the overhaul program. Currently, the layout of the Bar cars is being
studied. CDOT agreed to supply the council with the proposed Bar car design at
the next meeting.
8). The West Haven Station update was deferred until next month.
9). Metro North presented the council with an advance copy of the
results of the 2001’ Customer Satisfaction Survey. The council noted that the
survey shows improvement in every area that the council requested to be
surveyed. Metro North agreed to run the statistics for the New Haven Line, for
the last 3 years, and present it to the council at the next meeting. Vice Chmn. Cameron noted that he and Chmn.
Chabot had issued a press release commending Metro-North for its work and the
improved scores on the survey.
10). CDOT reported that the renovated Darien Station was reopened to
the public on January 14, 2002. The following items need to be completed:
Outstanding Item |
Tentative Completion Date |
|
North
and South Elevators |
April
2002 |
|
North
Canopy |
No
Date 85 % Complete |
|
South
Canopy |
March
2002 |
|
North
Platform Railings |
April
2002 |
|
Lighting
and other Site Work |
March
2002 |
|
North
and South Lot Paving |
April
2002 |
CDOT reported that the renovated Milford Station would be
reopened to the public on February 18, 2002. The entire project, which consists
of platform extensions, canopy construction, catenary column installation,
switchback ramp construction, paving and landscaping and ticket machine
installation is expected to be completed in February 2006.
11). Council Member Zimmerman reported that busses have recently
been substituted on the New Canaan branch for routine maintenance and brush
cutting. He further indicated that adequate notice of bus service has not been
given to the riders when such maintenance is being preformed. Council Member
Zimmerman presented a letter that he received from Metro North President Peter
Cannito in which Mr. Cannito has committed to provide an minimum of 10 days
advance notice for programmed substitute buss service.
12). Vice Chmn. Cameron noted that the new schedules due not list
the 10 trip off peak fares. Metro North indicated that due to space
considerations during the holidays the 10 trip off peak fares had to be
removed. The new schedules will contain the 10 trip information.
1). Vice Chairman Cameron presented the council with Southwest
Corridor Action Committee (SCAC) annual report on traffic mitigation. The
report indicates that overall CDOT claims to have continued to make progress
during 2001 towards achieving the goal of a five percent reduction in highway
commuter demand in southwest Connecticut… though traffic statistics show that
Vehicle Miles Traveled have actually increased 10% during recent years.
2). Chairman Chabot reported on the recent Metro North
Presidents Forum. The Forum, which is
open to the public, allows the Metro North customers to meet which the
executive staff and voice their concerns and or complaints. Some of the
concerns that were raised included, overcrowding at GCT, express trains from
Danbury, Bi-level 2X2 seating and restroom facilities both at GCT and on board.
3). Vice Chairman Cameron suggested that the council hold another
Meet the Commuter Day in March. In addition he suggested that it be held aboard
a Bar car on a NYC bound morning train. The members all agreed. Cameron will confirm a date and discuss it at
the Council’s March meeting.
CDOT agreed to discuss the future of any fare increases
at the next meeting.
Respectfully submitted
James N. Mohs
Secretary
|
Rodney
Chabot, Chairman |
Eugene
Colonese, Metro North |
|
Jim
Cameron, Vice Chairman |
John
Longobardi, Metro North |
|
Jim
Mohs, Secretary |
John
Greene, Metro North |
|
Peter
S. Myers, Council Member |
George
Okvat, Metro North |
|
Bob
Jelley, Council Member |
Raymond
F. Cox, CDOT |
|
Ed
Zimmerman, Council Member |
Mike
Donnarumma, CDOT |
|
Peter
Millard, Council Member |
Bonnie
Z. Olier, SLE, AMTRAK |
|
Joe
McGee, Council Member/SACIA |
Scott
Howland, AMTRAK |
|
Jeff
Maron, Council Member |
|
